This is the HOME PAGE of the Bennington Historical Society. The Society meets the first Wednesday and the Flower Posse meets on the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm at the City Community Room next to the library. For further information call 402-614-7509, e-mail bennhistsoc@gmail.com and our address is: Bennington Historical Society, POBox 15, Bennington, NE, 68007.

Total Pageviews

Monday, July 23, 2012

Lois (Mohr) Musel brought a souvenir that one of her family members had gotten at the Omaha Exposition of 1898. The 'cranberry goblet has "Exp. 98" etched into it and "John Mohr." Another Society member brought a similar goblet she had bought off e-bay that had "Walt Mangold" inscribed on it. Walt was a Post Master here in town. The cups are over a century old and mark a very important celebration that put this part of the country on the map.

Check it out!

"Exp. 98"

"John Mohr"

The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was a world's fair held in Omaha, Nebraska from June 1 to November 1 of 1898. Its goal was to showcase the development of the entire West, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. The Indian Congress was held concurrently. Over 2.6 million people came to Omaha to view the 4,062 exhibits during the four months of the Exposition. President William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan were among the dignitaries who attended at the invitation of Gurdon Wattles, the event's leader. 100,000 people assembled on the plaza to hear them speak. The Expo stretched over a 180-acre (0.73 km2) tract in North Omaha and featured a 2,000 feet (610 m)-long lagoon encircled by 21 classical buildings that featured fine and modern products from around the world.

About Me

Purpose Statement:
The Bennington Historical Society is a private non-profit organization founded in 2011. The purposes of the Society are: (1) to provide a forum for
people interested in Bennington’s
history to gather and exchange
information; (2) to collect and preserve artifacts, objects, publications, photographs and other documentary materials related to local and family
history; (3) to disseminate information about the history of the community through exhibits, educational programs
and publications based on the
Society’s collections; (4) to maintain a research library of past and current literature on the history of the community; and (5) to encourage the preservation of the archeological, historical, and architectural heritage of
Bennington and the surrounding
community.